£18 k, which car next....TVR / C5Z/????

[GTR LUST]

Hey peps, 1st post, but been a bit of a lurker from time to time, so hi everyone!

I currently drive a LS1 Trans Am, that I've owned for 6 years, and I'm just starting to get a little bored of it. The car is great, but it's heavy and lacks when it comes to narrow twisty country roads.

The obvious car for me to get next is a 2003 Corvette Z06, and is just within my price range if I import.

Also considering a TVR, great power to weight, but have herd about engine issues and lack of controlability.....

What I really want is something that will rape 95% of cars on the highway AND on the back roads.

I'd love a Ultima or a LSX TVR, but both are out of my price range.

Is the C5Z my best bet, or have you guys got any other suggestions for me?

Thanks for your views

Edited by GTR LUST on Saturday 11th September 20:36

[anonymous-user]

Do you have a taste for modding and a little space?

If so I suggest a cheap RX7 and a large lump of your present car

[Don1]

Yonex has an excellent point.

Personally, knowing that Steve Heath is able to install V8's into TVR's for ~£8k.... Guess where I'm going?

Or just go Mx-5 with a Rover V8? This is PH after all?

[JONSCZ]

Couple of great suggestions above.
Alternatively, anything here take your fancy - http://www.redlinesportscars.com/marcoscars.php
Particularly the blue TS500 Spyder 1/3 way down the page or Silver Mantara, if you want a hardtop...
Just an idea, and definitely different from the run of the mill stuff.
(I had a Mantis a few years back and it was superb - in fact the current owner of it has it for sale on here - Red one in classifieds for £22950 - not me or anything to do with me btw, before I get accused of advertising - I just used to own it a while ago!)
Cheers, Jon

[GTR LUST]

I have seriously considered both those options....

I would love to wack a V8 into a lightweight car like a RX7 or TVR, but couldn't live with the off road time, spending all my weekends working on it instead of driving it...

Plus the body would have to be nice, making even that part expensive, and TVR would have to be a Sagi, of course the expensive one!!

I know there's great engine builders out there, but dishing out my hard earned to them would feel a waste IMO when I could do the work myself, but I'm not prepared to.

That might sound lazy, but I know a few who have lost interest in their projects half way through, and it's become a chore, not a hobby.....

[Jasandjules]

GTR LUST said:

I would love to wack a V8 into a lightweight car like a RX7 or TVR, but couldn't live with the off road time, spending all my weekends working on it instead of driving it...

Well I've had TVRs for well over 10 years now, and I've not had too many problems like that... Don't get me wrong I've had the odd problem but I've had an MR2 Cam go taking out the valves etc and was off road for a few weeks and I've had a BMW go wrong rather more than I'd hoped.....

And some of us have V8s IN our TVRs already...... 5 litres too.....

[chrisispringles]

You could definetely get a 4.2/4.5 V8 TVR Cerbera with that budget.

[BLUETHUNDER]

I own a Cerbera and a C5 Vette. The C5 weighs,feels and handles better than your Transam. The Cerbera is a very involving drive and gets in the blood. But if its an everyday car that you want. And a bit of blasting around at the weekend,then go with the C5 ZO6.

[GTR LUST]

Thanks for all your replys.

I get the impression from Vette owners that the C5Z handle corners really well, and herd from TVR owners that they can be a handfull, what do you think having owned both?
Which is faster for country lanes??

[pilchardthecat]

I'm biased, but Z4M.

[BLUETHUNDER]

GTR LUST said:

Thanks for all your replys.

I get the impression from Vette owners that the C5Z handle corners really well, and herd from TVR owners that they can be a handfull, what do you think having owned both?
Which is faster for country lanes??

Most current TVR owners have never driven a Vette, And there are those who have owned a TVR and gone on to a Vette and sung its praises. On country lanes the Cerb is quite nimble and more driver involved. But can feel a bit edgy. The Vette being wider holds the road quite well. And its surprising how far you can push it in the twistys.

[GTR LUST]

So the Vette sounds easier to drive.
Is it the faster of the two?

Thanks for the help

[BLUETHUNDER]

Lots of low down torque on the Vette,and snaps you back in the seat on launch. The Cerb needs to be worked to get the best from it,but it will keep on pulling. Ive managed 183mph in the Vette with no more to give. 163mph in the Cerb. But it wasn't near maxing it out.

[teen_cerbera]

musclecarmad said:

Hmm,

Well you seem to like yank muscle so how about the following:

Corvette C6 rather than a C5
Dodge Viper RT/10

I'd personally go for the 'wow factor' of the viper coupled with no depreciation.

£18K?

T350c, identical to a Sagi inside, simular in looks exterior wose, can be had for under £18k, colour is everything & pictures do not do them justice!

[BLUETHUNDER]

musclecarmad said:

Hmm,

Well you seem to like yank muscle so how about the following:

Corvette C6 rather than a C5
Dodge Viper RT/10

I'd personally go for the 'wow factor' of the viper coupled with no depreciation.

C6 is next on the cards for me.

[Gizmo!]

pilchardthecat said:

I'm biased, but Z4M.

I'm not biased, and that's exactly what I was going to suggest.

[GTR LUST]

Thanks for all your replies.

I'd have to find deal of the year to find a C6 or Viper for under 18k, and I'm sure a C5Z would leave a Z4 behind in a trail of tire smoke..... Good sugestion though.

I just don't want to splash out 18k and find a better deal on something faster once I'd spent my cash.

Any other ideas of what I should consider??

Thanks again, leaning heavily towards the C5Z ATM

[papabear]

Have you looked at the XKR?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2037325.htm

[GTR LUST]

No, I hadn't, thanks for the suggestion.

It looks an awesome car, bit it's a bit heavy, and despite being FI, appears a touch slower than the Z06.

I'm more interested in a almost 'striped out' type of lighweight racecar than a high spec heavy one.... Power to weight ratios and good handling are top of my list, comfort comes much down the list.